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3rd December 2011
Jonny romps to another victory as U17 women claim team victory!!
The third Hampshire League cross country race of the winter
season took place last Saturday as the club travelled to Popham Airfield. With it being the final race before the Christmas
break, the team were looking to post a good showing and go into 2012 on a high. Jonny Davies led the way with a very convincing
gun to tape effort, whilst the U17 women packed 4 athletes in the top 8 of their race to claim a comfortable team victory.
Female Report
Female Report
Reading Athletic Club's young female athletes produced a decent performance in the third of season's
Hampshire cross country league races.
With it being the last race before the Christmas period, the team were keen to finish 2011 on a strong note.
That was never more so evident than the u17 ladies who collectively are coming into some fine form in time for the bigger championship races in the new year. The girls cut a dominant figure in their race and showed a confident attitude in getting away with the leaders from the off. So it was perhaps no surprise they had the luxury of 4 athletes finishing in the top 8.
Cerys Aicken really caught the eye with a impressive display and has firmly established herself as the top u17 at the club, in what is a very competitive age group. She showed a great deal of confidence and went with the leaders. One thing that is noticeable about Cerys is that she always races to 100% and Saturday was no different, although dropping off the front 2 at the latter stages, she held on for her best ever league finish with a fine 3rd place finish. Hot on her heels was Ellie Kemp, who produced her best ever race for the club and is now nearing full fitness. She showed what an asset she will be in the big races to come in 2012 as she finished a brilliant 5th place which was also her best ever league finish. Rosie Bishop and Mollie Haines both had quite a tussle for the final scoring slot, with Rosie just getting the edge this time with an improved performance of 7th. Mollie had probably the most improve run of the day and showed some form of past years and she will rightly be delighted with her 8th place finish. This gave the girls their 2nd team victory of the season and well on course to win the U17 league title come February.
Emma Taylor was the next vest back in 16th position. Bethan Taylor followed in 19th, with Abi Farnworth hot on her heels in 20th.
The U15 girls actually posted their best team result of the season, but it could have been so much better, had it not been for a very lacklustre start from the girls. They never got going from the start and although they pulled through well in the later stages, you would be right in thinking it was a hard way of racing and that effort that was put in in the latter stages could have seen them all finish a good 5/6 places higher had they took a more confident approach to the start, as they certainly have the ability to do so and indeed cope with it. Nonetheless Lauren Church again led them home as she came through in the final 300m to be the first Reading girl home in 20th position. Lois Meredith was one who can be happy with her effort as she posted her best performance over cross country this season with a 24th place finish. Katherine West completed the scoring team in 28th position which gave the girls 6th place on the day.
Georgia Walton was next home 34th place, with Jodie Penny finishing 49th.
Abi Froud posted a much improved performance and can be happy with her effort as she placed 55th whilst Ella Saunders had a off day taking 56th.
The U13 girls enjoyed a better team placing than last time out from what is a very young and inexperienced team, but they all showed there is potential there with some promising performances. Kirsty Walker again highlighted what a huge talent she is with a very impressive display. In her first outing in the Hampshire League she showed stacks of ability to storm through and finish a brilliant 5th position.
Ella Saunders enjoyed an improved performance and she too finished very strong as she crossed the line in 29th. Completing the scoring trio was Kate McKim who finished in 39th position, giving the girls 7th on the day.
The next Reading athlete home was Alana Rayfield who enjoyed an improved run this time out in 50th. Grace Ingledew and Chloe Zmuda soon followed and both finished well showing what potential they could have in the future with some regular training. Grace Bedford finished in 59th position with Emily Pickett in 63rd, whilst Libby Cairns showed more confidence in her racing as she placed 65th
Male Report
Reading Ac's Jonny Davies again led the way on the individual front for Reading's male young athletes as he chalked up yet another victory in the U17 men's race to remain unbeaten at U17 level for this cross country season. Right from the starter's gun Jonny coasted into a lead that was never in danger of being surrendered, as he eventually claimed a 33 second victory. Ben Priddle was the next Reading vest across the line, as he eventually came back in 13th position. Nathan Meredith had his best cross country performance this season, probably ever, as he came back in a good 16th position, this gave the U17 men 2nd team on the day behind Aldershot. Alex Bow also competed and he finished up with 26th position.
Reading's U13 boys also had a good day at the office and matched their older countparts in the team standing's with a very solid 2nd place. Isaac Farnworth yet again led his team home with a very assured display as he placed a fine 3rd position. Matthew Rawlings was the next Reading vest to finish, as he finished just outside the top 10, with an 11th place finish. Ben Corless completed the scoring team of 3 in a strong 14th position for that 2nd team placing on the day. Outside of the scoring, Tom Nike enjoyed a decent run in 30th place. Emil Rayfield also competed and finished 49th, whilst Peter Holt ran his first cross country race for the club and finished 66th.
Callum Gregory continued his very good form for the U15 boys. He was always challenging for the lead through-out the race, before finally settling for 3rd place. Elliott Morton was the 2nd Reading runner home in this race, as he placed 36th, whilst it was left to James Fawkes in 46th place to complete the scoring team that finished 9th on this occasion.
The senior men most certainly enjoyed their best results of the winter season so far as they placed a very solid 3rd position on the day thanks to some good packing from their athletes. Nick Earl had the honour of leading the team home this time with a very impressive display as he made it inside the top 10 with a brilliant 9th place finish. Carl Bradbury soon followed with another solid display to finish 15th. Jonny Roberts was the 3rd Reading vest home with a very pleasing effort of 24th, which also placed him 7th in the U20 category. David Lewis was next in 32nd place - 8th U20 to finish. Completing the scoring team in 35th position was Jack Gregory, ensuring Reading posted their best team result of the season. Outside of the scoring team, Ed Stockdale enjoyed a good performance with a 48th place finish which placed him 11th among the U20 category. Darren Stevens enjoyed a solid effort as he finished 56th. Whilst Tony McCreery also competed and he came back in 153rd and was the 59th vet athlete to finish.
With it being the last race before the Christmas period, the team were keen to finish 2011 on a strong note.
That was never more so evident than the u17 ladies who collectively are coming into some fine form in time for the bigger championship races in the new year. The girls cut a dominant figure in their race and showed a confident attitude in getting away with the leaders from the off. So it was perhaps no surprise they had the luxury of 4 athletes finishing in the top 8.
Cerys Aicken really caught the eye with a impressive display and has firmly established herself as the top u17 at the club, in what is a very competitive age group. She showed a great deal of confidence and went with the leaders. One thing that is noticeable about Cerys is that she always races to 100% and Saturday was no different, although dropping off the front 2 at the latter stages, she held on for her best ever league finish with a fine 3rd place finish. Hot on her heels was Ellie Kemp, who produced her best ever race for the club and is now nearing full fitness. She showed what an asset she will be in the big races to come in 2012 as she finished a brilliant 5th place which was also her best ever league finish. Rosie Bishop and Mollie Haines both had quite a tussle for the final scoring slot, with Rosie just getting the edge this time with an improved performance of 7th. Mollie had probably the most improve run of the day and showed some form of past years and she will rightly be delighted with her 8th place finish. This gave the girls their 2nd team victory of the season and well on course to win the U17 league title come February.
Emma Taylor was the next vest back in 16th position. Bethan Taylor followed in 19th, with Abi Farnworth hot on her heels in 20th.
The U15 girls actually posted their best team result of the season, but it could have been so much better, had it not been for a very lacklustre start from the girls. They never got going from the start and although they pulled through well in the later stages, you would be right in thinking it was a hard way of racing and that effort that was put in in the latter stages could have seen them all finish a good 5/6 places higher had they took a more confident approach to the start, as they certainly have the ability to do so and indeed cope with it. Nonetheless Lauren Church again led them home as she came through in the final 300m to be the first Reading girl home in 20th position. Lois Meredith was one who can be happy with her effort as she posted her best performance over cross country this season with a 24th place finish. Katherine West completed the scoring team in 28th position which gave the girls 6th place on the day.
Georgia Walton was next home 34th place, with Jodie Penny finishing 49th.
Abi Froud posted a much improved performance and can be happy with her effort as she placed 55th whilst Ella Saunders had a off day taking 56th.
The U13 girls enjoyed a better team placing than last time out from what is a very young and inexperienced team, but they all showed there is potential there with some promising performances. Kirsty Walker again highlighted what a huge talent she is with a very impressive display. In her first outing in the Hampshire League she showed stacks of ability to storm through and finish a brilliant 5th position.
Ella Saunders enjoyed an improved performance and she too finished very strong as she crossed the line in 29th. Completing the scoring trio was Kate McKim who finished in 39th position, giving the girls 7th on the day.
The next Reading athlete home was Alana Rayfield who enjoyed an improved run this time out in 50th. Grace Ingledew and Chloe Zmuda soon followed and both finished well showing what potential they could have in the future with some regular training. Grace Bedford finished in 59th position with Emily Pickett in 63rd, whilst Libby Cairns showed more confidence in her racing as she placed 65th
Reading Athletic Club’s Senior Women produced a determined performance in their 3rd league fixture at Popham and the commitment and effort made by every runner was rewarded by an in improved position of 4th team as well as some impressive individual results. Rachel Phillips made another confident start and was up with the leading group after the opening mile. She was soon joined by Louise Bardsley making a welcome return following recent shoulder surgery. On the long upward drag after 2km, Bardsley had passed Phillips and was pulling back towards the top ten runners. With 7 more Reading vests packing well, it was clear a good team position was possible.
Coming into final mile, Bardsley held her position well, and led the team home in an excellent 9th place. Phillips never gave up the chase and her 15th position was probably her best result so far this season. The battle for the final scoring place had changed continuously over this tough course, and under 20 Anna Boniface produced a very strong run to get the honour in 29th. Sue Francis 31st, Nicky Cooke 33rd, Julie Rayfield 34th and Hayley Pearce 35th followed close behind, all having given 110% to produce improved positions on the last match. Jenny Prescott was pleased with her 42nd place, just holding off Andi Curson who’s 44th (11th Vet) meant that the Vets team finished 2nd on the day and hold the same position overall after 3 races. Charlotte Phillips is beginning to show the confidence and determination of her sister, with her 49th place another big step forwards. Lee Fellowes showed her Reading ½ marathon training is going well with a very solid 64th place in a field of 86 runners. With 2 more league fixtures to go, Reading AC are in 4th position and with performances starting to pick up, need to maintain this momentum to keep in with a chance of medals.Male Report
Reading Ac's Jonny Davies again led the way on the individual front for Reading's male young athletes as he chalked up yet another victory in the U17 men's race to remain unbeaten at U17 level for this cross country season. Right from the starter's gun Jonny coasted into a lead that was never in danger of being surrendered, as he eventually claimed a 33 second victory. Ben Priddle was the next Reading vest across the line, as he eventually came back in 13th position. Nathan Meredith had his best cross country performance this season, probably ever, as he came back in a good 16th position, this gave the U17 men 2nd team on the day behind Aldershot. Alex Bow also competed and he finished up with 26th position.
Reading's U13 boys also had a good day at the office and matched their older countparts in the team standing's with a very solid 2nd place. Isaac Farnworth yet again led his team home with a very assured display as he placed a fine 3rd position. Matthew Rawlings was the next Reading vest to finish, as he finished just outside the top 10, with an 11th place finish. Ben Corless completed the scoring team of 3 in a strong 14th position for that 2nd team placing on the day. Outside of the scoring, Tom Nike enjoyed a decent run in 30th place. Emil Rayfield also competed and finished 49th, whilst Peter Holt ran his first cross country race for the club and finished 66th.
Callum Gregory continued his very good form for the U15 boys. He was always challenging for the lead through-out the race, before finally settling for 3rd place. Elliott Morton was the 2nd Reading runner home in this race, as he placed 36th, whilst it was left to James Fawkes in 46th place to complete the scoring team that finished 9th on this occasion.
The senior men most certainly enjoyed their best results of the winter season so far as they placed a very solid 3rd position on the day thanks to some good packing from their athletes. Nick Earl had the honour of leading the team home this time with a very impressive display as he made it inside the top 10 with a brilliant 9th place finish. Carl Bradbury soon followed with another solid display to finish 15th. Jonny Roberts was the 3rd Reading vest home with a very pleasing effort of 24th, which also placed him 7th in the U20 category. David Lewis was next in 32nd place - 8th U20 to finish. Completing the scoring team in 35th position was Jack Gregory, ensuring Reading posted their best team result of the season. Outside of the scoring team, Ed Stockdale enjoyed a good performance with a 48th place finish which placed him 11th among the U20 category. Darren Stevens enjoyed a solid effort as he finished 56th. Whilst Tony McCreery also competed and he came back in 153rd and was the 59th vet athlete to finish.
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